Osaka Travel Tips: 10 Things to Know Before You Go to Osaka

Things YOU need to know before you travel to Osaka Japan. Osaka is the third most populated city in Japan with 2.7M in the city and 19 Million in the region. Osaka is often overlooked for Tokyo and Kyoto, but Osaka has its own charm that makes it a wonderful destination for visitors. Osaka is a welcoming, exciting, and place that should really be on your travel radar!

Osaka is located on the main island of Honshu, roughly in the center of Japan. Osaka is a great place to base yourself when visiting Japan. In the centre of the Kansai region, landing at it’s international airport will place you within an hours local train journey to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe. Osaka is worth worth 3-5 days.

2- Food

Osaka is famous in Japan for their food. Its nickname is “the nation’s kitchen”.
Most well known: okonomiyaki, which is a dish made with meat, seafood, and noodles.
Takoyaki, delicious fried octopus balls that are sure to curve your hunger cravings at night.

Kushikatsu. Kushi refers to the bamboo skewers that the food is on and you can find meat, vegetable and even cheese varieties here. Don’t forget to dip your fried goods into the tonkatsu sauce (but strictly NO double dipping)

And of course Ramen!

Osaka is home to 200+ Michelin starred restaurants and Dontoburi is the epicentre of that.

Aside from the delicious food, Osaka is also well known for its high quality Sake, or Japanese rice wine. The sake is made from fresh water that comes from the Osaka mountains

3-Kita (Umeda) North District

One of 2 major districts in Osaka
Newly rebuilt JR Osaka station is the heart
Business and lots of Hotels
Grand Front Osaka is amazing

YenTenjimbashi-suji Shopping Street
This 2.6km covered shopping arcade is the longest in Osaka

Umeda Sky Building is one of the tallest and most impressive buildings in Osaka. It’s more like two buildings connected by a bridge at the top. There’s a great observation deck at the top called the Kuchu Teien (“Garden in the Sky”) Observatory.

HEP 5 Ferris Wheel – 500

4- Minami (Namba) South District
Osaka’s 2nd downtown
Neon lights, crazy signs
Japan’s version of Times Square
Shinsaibashi and Namba

Dotombori Arcade runs parallel to the canal on the south side and it’s lined with some of Osaka’s most famous and largest restaurants, which compete for business with huge signs and giant mechanical crabs etc.

Midosuji (shopping street)
Osaka’s “main street,” Midosuji is a broad street All the major international luxury brands have outlets here

Hozenji Yokocho (traditional alley)
Two small blocks east of Midosuji and two small blocks south of the Dotombori Arcade, you’ll find one of the most beautiful streets in all of Osaka and it looks like it was magically transported from somewhere in Kyoto. Entering this street is like slipping 200 years back in time.

Doguyasuji Arcade (kitchen and cooking supply shopping arcade)
About five minutes’ walk southeast of Namba subway station (easily reached on foot from Dotombori

Den Den Town. Osaka’s answer to Akihabara and not far from Namba station, here you’ll find all the weird and wonderful Japanese toys and manga you’ve heard about on the internet. Watch your step or you could unintentionally fall into adult-only territory. (Or intentionally, if that’s what you’re after.)

Den-Den is the city’s electronics, camera, computer and pop culture shopping neighborhood. It’s about 10 minutes’ walk southwest of Namba Station, in Nippombashi, running roughly between Nippombashi and Ebisucho stations on the Sakaisuji subway line. Many of the shops here have someone on hand who can speak English, so don’t be afraid to ask for help when looking for something.